It's official. Summer is over and we can stop surviving on wheat grass shots and salads with dressing on the side. Find yourself someone with whom to hibernate and start putting on the pounds in style at this year's Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival presented by FOOD & WINE. Leave it to Lee Brian Schrager, a food and beverage industry powerhouse and the Festival's founder and director, to pull out all the stops for this four-day foodie extravaganza.

And so you don't feel completely guilty binging on bonbons or other delicacies prepared by top-notch chefs - all net proceeds go directly to two hunger relief organizations. On a local level, Food Bank For New York City combines food distribution, income support and nutrition education to tackle food poverty from every angle. Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry campaign provides access to families all across the nation, so that every child, regardless of circumstances, can get the healthy food they need to thrive. Last year the Festival raised more than $1.2 million to benefit these organizations.

Here are EDGE's top picks for a gay ole' time at this year's Festival. Who said elastic waistbands aren't in style?

Rock & Bowl with Anne BurrellWho is our favorite knife-wielding spikey platinum blonde who can whip up a batch of homemade pasta quicker than you can kick back a glass of Chianti? We're not talking Sharon Stone a la "Basic Instinct," but rather Food Network star Anne Burrell. Join Anne for this over-the-top bash, which also celebrates the release of her first book, "Cook Like a Rock Star."

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